Qantas removes Lounge Access for QP members on EK flights from Oct 1

[burrco]

I'm looking forward to the day Red Roo comes on here and announces a Mr Joyce is departing the building one more time.

Matt

They could never admit it, but maybe Red Roo is also looking forward to that day!

 

[Archphoto]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Guess my visit to the HKG lounge will be my first and last. Kind of hard to book QF BKK-HKG on a paid ticket, but they're happy to throw EK and CX at me as an award flight.

Rather like their SCs - stick it to those who fly routes you *don't service*; if I'd know this was coming I'd never have renewed QP membership. I get it if you fly the route, but seriously, if you don't, it's really pi$$ poor. The cost of QP membership remains the same, but the ability to use it is being reduced to almost zilch - how does that work exactly????

A few weeks ago, I was praising the removal of CC sighting in BKK - guess I should have realised that it was a carrot/stick move; yet another "Fairer & simpler" enhancement NOT!

 

[Isochronous]

That doesn't seem fair to people who book QF code Aus-DXB then from DXB to Europe/Africa are on EK codes because QF code doesn't exist for certain destinations, e.g. Lisbon, Lagos to name but 2.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I just received my 'July points balance and latest news' - which we are told we must rely on for all sorts of important information. But there is nothing about the change to lounge access.

So people might continue to book EK flights, thinking they will get QC access... but then find out they can't.

This to me seems like a bit of a fail. Do we rely on the 'latest news' or not? QF can't have it both ways.

This seems to confirm that the 'latest news' really means 'good news'. So I expect a lot of people don't really look for things like points expiry in these types of documents.

Details of program 'enhancements' aren't news unless they are a way for you to earn more valuable Qantas points i.e Qantas to sell more points to third parties. The QFF head is probably under pressure to deliver continual profit increases while they work out how to turn around the flying operations. Given the size of the program now, they're resorting to squeezing lemons, which is not news to broadcast to customers.

 

[Archphoto]

Excellent point.

I just received my 'July points balance and latest news' - which we are told we must rely on for all sorts of important information. But there is nothing about the change to lounge access.

So people might continue to book EK flights, thinking they will get QC access... but then find out they can't.

This to me seems like a bit of a fail. Do we rely on the 'latest news' or not? QF can't have it both ways.

This seems to confirm that the 'latest news' really means 'good news'. So I expect a lot of people don't really look for things like points expiry in these types of documents.

That's interesting - mine did indicate, and first place I came was here to see what others were saying (didn't even bother with their link!!!). Mind you, it was down towards the bottom after their extremely important epiQure announcements.

 

[Kendall Roy]

At least include a wildcard clause like "Or connecting QF flight same day" - this would cover pax transiting either way on 1/2/9/10/QF Coded flights who wanted to book Qantas, but as noted elsewhere are:

a) On award tix
b) Onwards/inbound travel to a destination that doesn't have a QF code due to regulatory reasons!

 

[Princess Fiona]

That's interesting - mine did indicate, and first place I came was here to see what others were saying (didn't even bother with their link!!!). Mind you, it was down towards the bottom after their extremely important epiQure announcements.

Definitely none on any of the three family members emails going to my email address.
Two x PS and a WP.
Guess it's only QP members that get the news sent to them

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QF club members might have a special edition... but what happens when people revert back to QF club after status? how would they know about these changes?

 

[tyrolean]

QF club members might have a special edition... but what happens when people revert back to QF club after status? how would they know about these changes?

The bouncer will politely tell them that they are unwanted plebs.

 

[Archphoto]

QF club members might have a special edition... but what happens when people revert back to QF club after status? how would they know about these changes?

Extremely good point, and one that QF probably hasn't even thought of . . . . .


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

 

[Kendall Roy]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Unless they've totally stuffed up the wording in making the EK change, it looks very much to me like no more Admirals Club in the US for QP when flying AA unless on QF code.

Woah, that'll be grounds to pursue a refund of my LT QP. Too far!

 

[Mac502]

The benefits page also still lists the Emirates as access so I wouldn't take the AC access as granted until specifically mentioned in a "New" communication.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The benefits page also still lists the Emirates as access so I wouldn't take the AC access as granted until specifically mentioned in a "New" communication.

I would. I would be absolutely astonished if AC access was being removed. This thread is being side-tracked.
What we do know is that from Oct 1 Qantas Club members travelling on EK flights/metal without a QF/JQ code on their ticket have no lounge access either at Australian departure point, DXB or LHR unless by Class of Service.
This will affect those currently ticketed and all future QFF Award flights in Economy as Award tickets appear to only be able to be booked onto EK flight numbers.
Qantas has failed to provide 3 months notice as per the T&C's and so far has failed to communicate the change to anyone other than current Qantas Club members and via some confusing and clumsily worded changes on the website.

 

[drron]

I had read my July statement and hadn't seen this.I looked again and at the bottom in little red letters is-this message has been truncated.So hit the see more message and the bit about QP members must be travelling on a JQ or QF flight number to access domestic and international lounges.
So some may have just missed the message.The email though is dated 16/7 so definitely not the 3 months notice given.
And the new eligibility page has been enhanced in classic QFF style-

Eligibility and Access

Access to more lounges across the world.

Good way to announce a reduction in the number of lounges you will be able to access.

 

[medhead]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Guess my visit to the HKG lounge will be my first and last. Kind of hard to book QF BKK-HKG on a paid ticket, but they're happy to throw EK and CX at me as an award flight.

Rather like their SCs - stick it to those who fly routes you *don't service*; if I'd know this was coming I'd never have renewed QP membership. I get it if you fly the route, but seriously, if you don't, it's really pi$$ poor. The cost of QP membership remains the same, but the ability to use it is being reduced to almost zilch - how does that work exactly????

A few weeks ago, I was praising the removal of CC sighting in BKK - guess I should have realised that it was a carrot/stick move; yet another "Fairer & simpler" enhancement NOT!

Woah, that'll be grounds to pursue a refund of my LT QP. Too far!

If the change substantial removed your intended use when purchasing, you're entitled to a refund. All there in the T&Cs, unless they've removed that by stealth as well.

 

[JohnK]

Oh dear!

Definitely none on any of the three family members emails going to my email address.
Two x PS and a WP.
Guess it's only QP members that get the news sent to them

That sounds about right. Our 4 accounts (Platinum + 3 x Bronze) have 3 different emails and nothing mentioned about Qantas Club changes.

QF club members might have a special edition... but what happens when people revert back to QF club after status? how would they know about these changes?

You would think they would get the advice as they are still Qantas Club members regardless of current higher status level.

 

[OATEK]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Guess my visit to the HKG lounge will be my first and last. Kind of hard to book QF BKK-HKG on a paid ticket, but they're happy to throw EK and CX at me as an award flight.

Rather like their SCs - stick it to those who fly routes you *don't service*; if I'd know this was coming I'd never have renewed QP membership. I get it if you fly the route, but seriously, if you don't, it's really pi$$ poor. The cost of QP membership remains the same, but the ability to use it is being reduced to almost zilch - how does that work exactly????

A few weeks ago, I was praising the removal of CC sighting in BKK - guess I should have realised that it was a carrot/stick move; yet another "Fairer & simpler" enhancement NOT!

I faced the same basic decision as to whether I should renew QP this year. I have used it for Y/W international flights for the last few years, and on domestic runs. But as Archphoto says, the decision to begin penalising pax flying to Europe via Asia, and my firm resolve to take my preferred route, means that QP will probably only be used for maybe 4 domestic flights this year. I dithered for a while, but work pays half, and QF offered a discount for early renewal and I renewed.

Of course the EK exclusions won't affect me because I won't by flying via DXB any time soon. But the continual "enhancing" downwards of QFF and QP membership must eventually begin to take its toll on QF, and with retirement looming QP membership is unlikely to be renewed once my employer contribution has gone.

 

[SQ421]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Maybe a lot of EK only fliers who couldn't make Gold (and thus get lounge access) were using QP as a backdoor to EK lounges (especially in DXB?) and that's what prompted this cull.

Or maybe they are just trying to piss people off. Like clockwork. Every few weeks.

 

[msndelevium]

In the email sent, it said From "1 Oct 2014, Qantas Club members will need to have a QF or JQ flight number on their ticket to access domestic and international lounges." Does that mean that QP members Jetstar Asia (3K) will not have access to the Qantas Singapore lounge as well?

 

[timster]

In the email sent, it said From "1 Oct 2014, Qantas Club members will need to have a QF or JQ flight number on their ticket to access domestic and international lounges." Does that mean that QP members Jetstar Asia (3K) will not have access to the Qantas Singapore lounge as well?

I wondered the same thing as I have an upcoming 3K flight. But on the the SIN lounge page, for QP members ...
"From 1 October 2014, next onward flight that day must be a Qantas^, or Jetstar Airlines+flight number."

+ Jetstar refers to Jetstar Airlines (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K), Valuair (VF) and Jetstar Japan (GK)."

The only change is the removal of EK from that first sentence.